Board of Directors

Jeremy Conrad

Jeremy Conrad

Jeremy Conrad is an Atlanta, GA native that graduated from Berry College with a degree in Sociology. For the last six years, he has been working with at-risk youth in Brazil through Sombra Road, a non-profit organization based out of Atlanta. He spent the first three years of his time in Brazil with an orphanage just outside the city of Rio de Janeiro. Since 2007, he has been serving in the slums of Rio.

Jonathan Gadd

Jonathan Gadd

Jonathan was born in Charlotte, NC but has lived in Atlanta for the past 25 years. He attended Clemson University and graduated with a degree in Graphic Communications. Over the past 7 years Jonathan has worked as and Account Executive at PureRED, an integrated marketing firm in the Atlanta area. When not working he is busy raising his 3 girls (Payton, Claire and Ivy) and son (Harrison) with his wife, Krista. While raising his kids and spending time leading High School and Middle School aged boys through his local church, Jonathan has enjoyed participating in the growth and spiritual development of the youth in his community. He is honored to be able to serve with the James 1:27 Foundation to help ensure that orphans worldwide have opportunities to grow and develop physically, and spiritually as well. To God be the Glory.

Debbie Ratliff

Debbie Ratliff

Debbie, a native of Indiana, graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in speech and hearing therapy. She and her husband, John, moved to Florida, where Debbie worked for Eastern Airlines in Miami. After moving to Ormond Beach, FL with her husband, she was a stay-at-home mom while raising three children, Cara Cornelius, Todd Ratliff and Jana Tashakori. She was the co-owner of two businesses in the Daytona Beach area. She and her husband now live at Sun City Hilton Head, SC and are active in their church and neighborhood.

Jamie Ratliff

Jamie Ratliff

Jamie was originally born in Atlanta, but grew up just outside of Greenville, South Carolina in the town of Travelers Rest. After attending Clemson University, she and her twin sister, Jennifer moved to Atlanta. Jamie worked for 7 years in the commercial real estate industry where she was part of the Philanthropy Committee. Additionally, she spent 6 years as a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons where she was involved in many charity functions such as Boys & Girls Club, Woman Helping Woman, Children’s Hospital and many others. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Young Life organization. Today, she is a stay-at-home mom raising two young children.

Todd Ratliff

Todd Ratliff

Born and raised in Florida, Todd attended Clemson University before moving to Atlanta to pursue a career in real estate. He spent three years selling commercial real estate information before transitioning into brokerage. Since 2003, he has been selling hotels for Atlanta-based Hodges Ward Elliott. Over the years, Todd has been involved with various organizations that cater to kids including being a volunteer leader for Young Life and an emergency room volunteer at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. He and his wife Jamie married in 2004, have two children and attend Buckhead Community Church.

Brent Reid

Brent Reid

Brent Reid graduated with a degree in Accounting from a top program at the University of Southern California and went on to work in both auditing and consulting for Coopers & Lybrand in Los Angeles. Brent then became the youngest Director in the history of the Pebble Beach Company, honing his customer service and management consulting skills at the famed resort. Brent obtained an MBA in Marketing & Strategy from the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University. Brent is now the EVP- Business Development for Sequoia Golf in Atlanta, Georgia. Brent has been instrumental in acquisitions, helping the company triple in size in three years, and also oversees all food and beverage and retail operations.

Bill Shaw
Bill Shaw received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina. He worked for Monsanto in St. Louis, MO and then Stauffer Chemical Company in Atlanta, GA. Then he formed Eagle Performance Products in 1974 in Calhoun, GA. EPP manufactures fire retardant systems for the textile industry. Bill now serves as the CEO for the company. Bill and Suzanne Shaw have been married 41 years producing two daughters who produced ten grandchildren. They all live in the Atlanta area. Bill has been involved in the Atlanta Christian Business Men’s organization since 1975. He is also on the board of Life to Life, which is a Christian organization that promotes Bible Study and discipleship. In addition to being a board member of the James 1:27 Foundation, Bill is also a board member of Freedom Counseling Services in Trion, GA, an addiction treatment center in Northwest Georgia.

Melanie Snare

Melanie Snare

Melanie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is happy to now call Atlanta home with her amazing husband and two daughters, but will always be a Tar Heel at heart. While cheering professionally for the Atlanta Falcons for 5 seasons, Melanie became actively involved in a long list of charity organizations. During that time, she realized how much she cares about making a difference in the world and works with numerous groups as an advocate for positive change. She is very passionate about kids as well as her walk with Christ and is therefore honored to be a part of The James 1:27 Foundation.